The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-06-25

unhappy girl realized what she had lost,
and at whose door lay the guilt, and fOr
three years she had cherished two passions
that were wearing cut her life--~iA, ne
morseful love for arer dead hedo. and bitter
hatred for her living eiicsny.
Now they were face to face again, be
meath the same roof, and all the past was
revived.
| Resua wcnt down to the dining-hall with
out a trace of wisst she had gone through
suppressed on her lovely features; and her
smile, II less frequent, was as sweet as
ever.
The sharp eyes of Edith ballard searched
in vain for some sign that the wounded
heart was stila bleeding; she would hays
preferred blanched ciseek saad isollow eye
instead Of The bright, blooming beauty that
outrivaled her owa.
"I Thought Miss Ballard was an ac-
quaintanee of yourss" said some one TO
Rens an hour later.
-tSlle was once, but daresay the fact is
forgotten. l almost needed reminder"
her companion; the young man with the
frank face and beautiful dark eyes? He
las the eyes Of poet"
He is Lord Maryll; good fellow un-
spotted by the possession of an immense
4 fortune. They are TO be AiArricd ia the
! fall"
/ Rena's eyes grew darker, and faint
shadow came upon her face.
"Ah, Miss ballard was always mercen-
| ary," she said softly
"YesS bat / believe she would wed him
if he weTc penniiess. They say her devo-
1 ton is uBbounded, You remember what n
coqUctte she was in the oiden tiine9 A man
can scarcely win = smile now"
Rena nodded almost iudifferensly, and
began to talk of ether things. An hour
iater she was chatting with Lloyd Maryll,
and Edith Daiisrd was watching her with
dark, jealous eyes.
/ II did not know you and Miss Alden
had mutual friends here,' she said after
ward.
'Nor 1, but am very glad; she is a
charming woman" answered Lloyd Maryll,
frankly.
"She is a coqnette---you know the story
of Royal Craia''
Eyes; but l hesitate 10 condemn her
now.''
"Whv, she drove him to his death. All.
see YOU are as easily deceived as the
rest"
Perhaps Lloyd MarYll would never have
thought of Rcna again save as beautiful
and agreeable woman, had she not eSered
herself to win deeper interest
All her powers of fascination were put
forth to ensnare him; she discovered his
tastes and theories and catered to them !;
she won his sympathy and confidence; she
showed him the deeper side of her clarac-
ter, and yet dazzled him with her social
arts, her wit and beauty.
Yet, SO delicatcly, SO subtly was 1t all
tloue, that he never realized her agency in
IL; he was charmed into the web and en-
tangled ere he knew it had been woven.
Rena was working for vengeance, and
her power then wes almost magical.
She never paused TO think that the in.
strument she used was not thing Of sor-
did composition, but human being with a
} sensitive soul.
She read her success in the face Of hel
| enemy. and she was delighted, at last she
would triumph!
: 1t was lovely August evening, and in
the moonlight Rena sat alone, looking al.
! most like statue in her white drapcries,
, with her clear-cut features and pale hair,
A long lace scarf was bound over her
3 braids and knetted on her bosom with pink
5 roses.
Il One of the flowers had broken its stem
/: and she was about to cast it away, when q
band caught her own.
VI She looked up and saw Lloyd Maryll.
Don't discard the rose. l will keep it,
{ he said.
But it is fading" answered Rena. "a
, will get you better one from the BUSH"
4 mo, prefer this"
s He had taken a seat beside her, and wa.
f regarding her with those wonderful eyes Of
his.
= She turned her face toward him with {
winning smile.
''lVhy should you prefer it?'' she asked
S softly. at has no special beauty nor fra
n GRANGE to recommend It,"
t "No, but you have worn it."
She cast him quick, shy glance, and he
= head dropped.
One white hand lay among the folds o
lace so temptingly near that he laid hi'
: own upon it, and she did not rebuke him
: The contact thrilled him to the heart.
"The merest trife is dear to me II it Il
{ blest by your favor" he said, in quick, low
o tones. "sliss Alden. Rena, can he silen
p no longer. do not forget my position
but l love you; would give up ali for you
e sake" 44-t-
! You are not serieus," she murmure'
i with her eyes stlll downcast.
''Not serious? All. YOU cannot read m!
g heart" he answered passionately.
d thought loved ere / met you; but tina
o was but cold regard compared with tn
II emotion l now feel. must not sacrific
d my happiness, yet | cannot act dishonoI
e ably. Oh, Rena, IL we lad met before"
'e "Yes; but is It too late?"
u The words came family as II she wa
~ fearful to utter them; but his face gre
radiant
$ "You love me then-you regret tn
&c bonds?" he said.
81 do love you, Lloyd" she murmuret
ne with a wistful glance. 81 know shoul
I'd not say this; but, oh! why must our live
I'd he wrecked because you-you-"
as "They shall not; will be freer' he u